Coming Feb. 22, single 800 number for all Airmen

  • Published
Members of the Total Force - regular Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, civilian and retired Airmen - are on line to have one central phone number for help with their personnel questions starting at 5 p.m. Central Standard Time Feb. 22.

Members of the Air Force community should call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102 to reach a customer service counselor to discuss issues ranging from retraining, promotions and identification cards to leave, retirements and civilian benefits.

While this number is already familiar to Airmen who call the ARPC Contact Center in Denver, it's a change for Airmen who call the toll-free number currently assigned to the AFPC Contact Center in San Antonio.

"Having a single phone number for the entire force will make it easier for all of our customers to reach us so we can give them the most accurate and up-to-date information," said Brig. Gen. Eric Crabtree, former ARPC commander. "It's vitally important in this fast-moving environment that we keep providing accurate, consistent and understandable answers to all Airmen and their families."

The single number is a first step toward the Total Force Service Center, or TFSC, concept. This concept provides Airmen seamless access to personnel information and services regardless of the organization or system actually providing it. With the single number the ARPC and AFPC contact centers become virtually connected; making it easier for all Airmen to reach their needed personnel services.

Teams will be working throughout the day on Feb. 22 making the TFSC number the single access point for all the Air Force components and their families. Once all the telephone lines are reorganized, Airmen dialing in will be appropriately routed to either San Antonio or Denver, depending on the selections they make from the updated menu options.

Customers dialing the 800 number might experience minimal disruption in service while the number is being transferred.

"This is just one more example of how we are providing smarter and better personnel services to our total force," said Maj. Gen. K.C. McClain, AFPC commander. "Technology is allowing us to interface with our Airmen or commanders when they want to work personnel actions, without the Airmen ever leaving their homes or offices.

"Above all, we want to hear from you about your experiences with the centers," said General McClain. "We value feedback from the customers so we can continue to improve how we deliver our services to you."

AFPC-serviced Airmen should continue using 800-616-3775 until 5 p.m. CST Feb. 22. After that time, those who call the former number will be advised of the change in phone numbers.

For those calling from outside the United States, dial the toll-free AT&T Direct Access Number for the country they are located, then dial 1-800-525-0102. AT&T Direct Access Numbers are found at www.business.att.com/bt/dial_guide.jsp.  

There is no change for individuals with hearing impairments. They can still reach the civilian Benefits and Entitlements Service Team and AFPC's Personnel Systems Operations Control Center, as well as ask employment questions, by calling the Telephone Device for the Deaf number, 800-382-0893. The commercial TDD number is 210-565-2276.

Airmen and their families can also find answers to many of their personnel questions at AFPC's http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil or ARPC's http://www.arpc.afrc.af.mil.